U.S. patent number 5,570,450 [Application Number 08/288,714] was granted by the patent office on 1996-10-29 for junction and modular optical sharing terminal assembly.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Telefonica De Espana, S.A.. Invention is credited to Jesus D. Cortijo, Manuel F. Fernandez.
United States Patent |
5,570,450 |
Fernandez , et al. |
October 29, 1996 |
Junction and modular optical sharing terminal assembly
Abstract
A junction and modular optical sharing terminal assembly
incorporates a vertically-extending frame having a plurality of
frame plates vertically mounted thereon and a plurality of
horizontally-extending, telescopic tray guides mounted on the frame
plates and which are movable between a retracted position and a
horizontally-extended position. Horizontal tray modules rest on the
tray guides and are movable between a retracted position and a
horizontally-extended position. The tray modules include
warehousing, junction, and connector trays, each having identical
perimeters and terminating at their sides with identical anchoring
bands which removably rest on the tray guides, and each including a
molded part at its front edge. A resilient trigger band is mounted
on each of the anchoring bands, and interacts with the molded part
and the tray guides to lock the tray modules in their extended and
retracted positions. A housing encloses the frame, the frame
plates, the tray guides, and the tray modules. The housing also
encloses a plurality of inner frame sides which are mounted on the
frame, a plurality of cable guides positioned at different heights
on the inner frame sides for carrying and guiding access cables,
and a plurality of adjacent, modular split flanges for receiving
access cables.
Inventors: |
Fernandez; Manuel F. (Madrid,
ES), Cortijo; Jesus D. (Madrid, ES) |
Assignee: |
Telefonica De Espana, S.A.
(Madrid, ES)
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Family
ID: |
8275431 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/288,714 |
Filed: |
August 15, 1994 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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987705 |
Dec 9, 1992 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Dec 12, 1991 [ES] |
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9103757 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
385/135; 385/134;
385/137 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B
6/4452 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G02B
6/44 (20060101); G02B 006/36 () |
Field of
Search: |
;385/134-139 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Lee; John D.
Assistant Examiner: Palmer; Phan T. H.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Popham, Haik, Schnobrich &
Kaufman, Ltd.
Parent Case Text
This application is a continuation of U.S. Patent application Ser.
No. 07/987,705, filed Dec. 9, 1992 (abandoned).
Claims
We claim:
1. A junction and modular optical sharing terminal assembly
comprising:
a vertically-extending frame;
a plurality of frame plates vertically mounted on said frame;
a plurality of horizontally-extending tray guides mounted on said
frame plates, said tray guides being telescopic and being movable
between a retracted position and a horizontally-extended
position;
a plurality of horizontal tray modules movable between a retracted
position and a horizontally-extended position, said tray modules
comprising warehousing, junction, and connector trays, each of said
tray modules having identical perimeters and having formed along
opposite sides thereof identical anchoring bands, said anchoring
bands removably resting on said tray guides;
a housing enclosing said frame, said frame plates, said tray
guides, and said tray modules; and
a resilient trigger band mounted on each of said anchoring bands,
said trigger bands releasably engaging said tray guides in said
extended and retracted positions to lock said tray modules in said
extended and retracted positions, respectively.
2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said tray modules are spaced
apart to define spaces therebetween, said tray modules including
molded parts at front portions thereof, said molded parts extending
vertically to fill spaces between said tray modules, and said
trigger bands also releasably engaging said molded parts.
3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said assembly further comprises
a plurality of adjacent, modular split flanges enclosed in said
housing for receiving access cables.
4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said assembly further comprises
a plurality of inner frame sides enclosed within said housing and
mounted on said frame, and a plurality of cable guides positioned
at different heights on said inner frame sides for carrying and
guiding access cables.
5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein said inner frame sides are
positioned at an upper half of said frame.
6. The assembly of claim 4, wherein said inner frame sides are
positioned at a lower half of said frame.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention finds its application in the telecommunications
field and, specifically, is to be used in the substructure of an
outside plant necessary for creating and maintaining an optical
fiber.
2. Related Art
At present, several junction and modular optical sharing assemblies
are know, all of them manufactured and designed to allow the
housing of junctions, connectors and optical cable.
Nevertheless, all assemblies known until now are unable to exchange
the several trays configuring several junction module trays,
optical sharer trays and warehousing trays, for which reason, in
view of the need of installing a small number of connectors, it is
imperative to install three full modules.
Also, they do not allow easy access when it is necessary to replace
different components of the plant to carry out several installation
and maintenance operations thereof.
A solution to this problem would be to rely on a junction and
modular optical sharing terminal assembly, in which the several
junction modules, connectors and storage could make use of
elemental units, in such a way that they could permit
interchangeability and the ability to distinguish the module by the
units constituting it, this is, whether they are specifically
junction and sharing or warehousing units, and each module can be
formed by different trays, according to the needs of the optical
fiber plant.
Also, if a terminal assembly fitted with these features is
employed, the arrangement would allow the installation of a single
module having different types of trays and, so, to meet the need of
a low capacity of connectors and junctions.
It has been confirmed that, in relation to the problem of access
during different installation and maintenance operations, the
solution would be to remove the side partitions in the modules
impeding displacements, providing free access to the different
cables already or to be installed.
Nevertheless, up to now, no junction and modular optical-sharing
assembly fitted with the features as pointed out as suitable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The junction and modular optical sharing terminal assembly proposed
by this invention constitutes itself a clear solution to the
above-mentioned problem, which satisfactorily covers the mentioned
needs, and evidences a substantial improvement in the state of the
art due to its embodiment.
In a more definite way, the junction and modular optical- sharing
terminal assembly of the invention is composed of a vertical frame
housing and retaining a set of frame-plates, each of which
supports, in turn, several trays by means of its corresponding tray
guides.
The assembly has an envelope covering the side parts, and the
bottom receives the vertical frame.
The junction, connector and warehouse trays are of the same
dimensions, their extremities ending at the same profile or
anchorage band resting on some guides which are also identical for
the three types of junction, connector and warehousing trays.
Owing to the above-mentioned, it will be appreciated that all the
trays are interchangeable at any of the housings applied inasmuch
as height, so enabling to adapt the assembly to every specific
use.
These trays have, at their front side, a molded part allowing:
housing of the cards while showing the Contents and use of the
tray;
plugging of the space left between trays and corresponding to the
vertical separation of same;
resilient trigger-bands to lock the tray in the extreme positions
of its travel.
The trays rest on telescopic guides, so that they can be pulled out
and locked in their extreme positions by means of a trigger-band
system, by which the access to different trays is indistincly
obtained at both sides simultaneously, or at the front or back.
The junction tray allows the housing of junctions and the fiber
which corresponds thereto, and also is capable of doubling its
storage capacity under particular situations.
The tray for the connectors has a detachable coupler-holder,
allowing it to be replaced by the corresponding one of the
connectors to be used.
The warehousing tray allows the housing of flexible or monofiber
cable in independent areas, so obtaining an optimum identification
of the different cables.
On the upper or lower part depending on the cable access to the
assembly, there are arranged split flanges fixing the necessary
cable pairs.
On the outside and intermediate sides, them are arranged some parts
for suitably guiding the different cables located in the
assembly.
Also, the assembly has two intermediate sides located in the upper
or lower inner middle part the sharer, depending on the access to
the cables, at the high or low zone, and parallel to the outer
sides, so allowing the provision of independent side spaces in
order to optimize the arrangement and distribution of the different
cables arriving at same.
The assembly has three large doors and two smaller ones, pivoting
on each side, these doors serving to close both front voids left
along and vertically between the center zone occupied by the trays
and the sharer sides.
When the doors open, the access to they permit optical fiber
cables, these cables being housed in these sides, as well as the
removal of the trays on which they rest.
The assembly is mounted on an undeformable lower frame which has
four adjustable legs which are located at the corners thereof, so
allowing a later correct levelling of the sharer.
Lastly, the assembly is fitted with a second frame having a "U"
shape, topping the upper zone of the assembly without hampering the
easy access of all cables inside the sharer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order to complement the present description and to aid to a
better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, the
appended drawings which form a part of this specification, show, by
way of illustrative and non-limiting example, the following
figures:
FIG. 1 is a full perspective view of the junction and modular
optical sharing terminal assembly, which is the object of the
present invention, showing the inner arrangement of same.
FIG. 2 shows an elevational view of the front side of a junction
tray.
FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the junction tray shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 shows an elevational view of the front side of a warehousing
tray.
FIG. 5 shows a plan view of the warehousing tray shown in FIG.
4.
FIG. 6 shows an elevational view of the front side of a connector
tray.
FIG. 7 shows a plan view of the connector tray shown in FIG. 6.
FIG. 8 shows a view of the frame with one of the possible multiple
arrangements of trays.
FIG. 9 shows a fragentary view of the tray guide and the trigger
band, as well as the telescopic nature of same, the other side
being a mirror image thereof, together with the locking and removal
system of same.
FIG. 10 shows an elevational view of the supporting plate on which
the several tray guides are incorporated.
FIG. 11 shows a plan view of the supporting plate shown in FIG.
10.
FIG. 12 shows a partial front elevational view, partially in
cross-section, of the junction tray of FIG. 2 mounted on a
telescopic tray guide.
FIG. 13 shows a partial front elevational view, partially in
cross-section, of the warehousing tray of FIG. 4 mounted on a
telescopic tray guide.
FIG. 14 shows a partial front elevational view, partially in
cross-section, of the connector tray of FIG. 6 mounted on a
telescopic tray guide.
FIG. 15 shows a view of the split flange allowing the housing of
different cables.
FIG. 16 shows, a view of the supporting structure of trays, as well
of the wiring distribution system with the gap of access cables at
two heights.
FIG. 17 is a fragmentary plan view of a storage tray on its
telescopic guides, in its extracted position, the opposite being a
mirror image thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In view of those Figures, it can be seen that the junction and
modular optical sharing terminal assembly (1), which is the object
of the invention, comprises a vertical frame (12) housing and
locking a set of frame-plates (8), each of which support several
trays (3), by means of their respective tray guides (9).
All the junction (5), warehousing (6) and connector (7) trays have
identical dimensions, their extremities ending at the same profile
or anchoring band (10) resting on tray guides (9), also identical
for the three types of junction (5), warehousing (6) and connector
(7) trays.
Due to the above described structure, it is possible to exchange
these trays.
On the upper zone and due to the fact that the access of cables to
the assembly is located on this side, three split flanges (11) are
arranged, in order to allow the fixing of the necessary access
cable pairs.
On the outer and intermediate sides, parts (14) are arranged for
adequately guiding the different cables arriving at same.
These trays are removably installed on telescopic guides (9), and
are capped at their front edge by a molded part 16 having flexible
ends. Resilient trigger-bands (15) at one end releasably engage
molded part (16) and at the other end releasably engage telescopic
guides (9), locking the tray in extreme positions of its
travel.
The warehousing tray allows the housing of flexible or monofiber
cables in independent zones (17), so obtaining an optimal
identification of the different cables.
The assembly has three large doors (2) and two smaller pivoting on
each of sides.
These large doors (2) close two front voids located along and
vertically between the center zone occupied by the trays and the
sides of sharer.
When the doors open, access is gained to the optical fiber cables
13, these cables being housed in these sides, and tray (3) on which
they rest can be removed.
It is not considered necessary to extend this description for any
expert in the art to understand the scope of the invention and the
advantages derived from it.
The materials, size, shape and arrangement of its components will
be open to variation, provided that it does not imply any
alteration to the essence of the invention.
The terms under which this specification has been described should
be always taken in an ample and non-limitative sense.
* * * * *